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Hungary reports first case of African swine fever
African swine fever was detected in a wild boar in the Heves region.
Food waste thought to be a possible source of infection

African swine fever has been detected in a wild boar in Hungary for the first time, government officials have confirmed.

While the source of the infection has not been confirmed, the most likely cause is thought to be food waste introduced by foreign citizens working in industrial facilities in the area, according to an alert by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Over the past two years, dead wild boar have been monitored for ASF in the eastern counties near the borders with the Ukraine and Poland. Hungary began border checks for pork and pork products, as well as increased passive surveillance in the rest of the country last year.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said the case is worrying as it was detected in the Heves region, outside of the country’s surveillance zone.

Anna Williamson, APHA’s pig veterinary lead, is quoted by the National Pig Association as saying: “This is concerning as it means that either infection in wild boar nearer the border has been missed or that the case results from other means of transmission, such as illegal movement of infected pigs or feeding of infected pork/pork products, as was suspected to be the case for the geographical jump to the Czech Republic in 2017.”

NPA’s chief executive, Zoe Davies, added: "ASF is a real threat to the UK. This discovery reinforces once again the need for vigilance when it comes biosecurity on farms, particularly in cases where visitors or workers come from high risk areas of Europe.

“We continue to remind all pig keepers that it is illegal to feed food waste to pigs, as this is one most likely routes for infection to reach the UK pig herd.

"We also continue to call for measure to ensure our own feral pig populations, particularly in the Forest of Dean, are kept under control. If the virus ever gets into our feral pig population, it could take years before we are able to free ourselves from crippling export restrictions."

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.